The Festival of Fantastic Films 2008 Click here for Maps, Directions, Car Parking, etc. News October 20th, 2008 The winners of the Independent and Amateur film competitions are shown below in each section. Guests of Honour for 2008
The Progress Report for the 19th Festival
Film Programme The Film Programme will include a variety of features and shorts, plus a selection of the Independent and Amateur Film Competition entries. Introduction to the Festival If you are a new visitor to The Festival of Fantastic Films web pages we invite you to climb aboard the greatest weekend a science fiction, fantasy or horror movie fan could ever find on the planet. Based in MANCHESTER, ENGLAND (just two-and-a-half hours from LONDON by rail-link) we have THREE programme streams containing a terrific range of movie-related events that include Guest Interviews, Discussions, Panels, Special Events, Presentations, Auctions, Artshow and Poster Exhibition, Dealer Room, Themed Dinner, Parties and of course an AMAZING number of movies..... the old and the new run alongside each other throughout the festival. Please scroll down our pages to get a taste of this 3-Day UK Movie Convention (now in its eighteenth year) - and hop off on the various links should you want even more in-depth info! But DO COME BACK... we'll be updating frequently throughout the upcoming year! Special Events Festival Opening Ceremony. An introduction to the Festival and its guests. Q & A sessions with directors and producers of a number of the films we shall be screening throughout the weekend. Much more.
Featured Events Big retrospective Science Fiction and Fantasy 3-D! Discussions, Panels Film Fair, Auctions Low-price Convention Bar! Guest of Honour Signing Sessions Amateur and Independent Short Film Contests The Auction Call for Entries The Independent Film Competition entry form is available here The Amateur Film Competition entry form is available here In addition to the retrospective film programme that is the backbone of the event, the Festival of Fantastic Films has, within the past few years, become the premiere UK venue for new genre movies. We are pleased to showcase an amazing selection of Independently produced feature length and short films from all over the world. Films that you are unlikely to see anywhere else are screened alongside the new movies from major studios right through the weekend. Each year sees an increase in the number of young and highly creative film-makers, submitting their work into our International Competition and giving members of the Festival a unique opportunity to see a great range of movies. The Festival programme also screens new films outside the competition itself and although it is difficult to announce specific titles in advance, we expect to surprise members of the event with major premieres! The Festival is also the place to meet with many of the creative people from behind and in front of the cameras. In 1998 we had director Jake West and actress Eileen Daly along with their new film RAZORBLADE SMILE. American director Tyler Tharpe came over from the USA to screen and discuss his horror film THE LAST ROADSTOP and from the UK, Jon Sorensen premiered his science fiction feature ALIEN BLOOD. In 1999 delightful American director Joei Gharrity came from Los Angeles to screen her short film THE GRAIL and was sucked into the fannish activities and friendliness of the eventMost of the Independent movies screened at the Festival have a substantial budget behind them, whereas other equally creative genre movies are made each year by talented amateurs working on a shoestring. These films are enormously entertaining and often just as thought provoking as their Indie relatives. The Amateur Contest entries are pre-judged by The Festival Committee with the top rated films going forward to the Festival for the final round. 1998 saw the Award going out of the UK for the first time ever, being won by Florida USA film-maker Shane Hannafey with his science fiction story THE GIFT. The International Movie Competitions have become a very important section of the Festival of Fantastic Films. 2007 Independent Film Award Results
2007 Amateur Film Competition Results
Last Minute News for 2008! October 15th, 2008 The following guests have confirmed attendance. Lamberto Bava, Ingrid Pitt, Jess Conrad, Richard Gordon & Damien Thomas. However I received the following in the last day:
And Norman J Warren has advised us that unfortunately John Scott has had to go into hospital in Hollywood and cannot get back due to recovery, Even Later Breaking News for 2008! October 10th, 2008 We are pleased to report that Ingrid Pitt will be attending this year's Festival. We look forward to seeing her again as it's been a few years since her last visit. Director Lamberto Bava has also just confirmed that he will attend this year October 4th, 2008 1) We have received a contact from Lamberto Bava confirming that it is his intention to attend the Festival of Fantastic Films. We apologise for the lateness of the notification - however it is great news. 2) Also attending will beMichael Roesch and Peter Scheerer whose new movies are Brotherhood of Blood, starring Sid Haig and Ken Foree; also Alone in the Dark 2, starring Lance Hendrikson and Danny Trejo.Michael and Peter will be bringing both movies. 3) New movies being shown as wellas the above include Dracula's Guest and Boston Strangler: The Untold Story. We are also showing the new documentary by Don Fearney called Legend of Hammer Vampires. 4) Finally we have received great news that our old friend Richard Gordon is attending again this year. Due to the problems we had with the late withdrawal of certain guests - it would be appreciated if you could pass the latest news around and help drum up further attendance. 5) Please note that Tony Edwards' email is NOT working so if you need to contact him - please use those of Gil Lane-Young which are [email protected] or [email protected] Late Breaking News for 2008 It is with regret that we have to announce that in the last few days the Festival has beenadvised by John Saxon & Horst Janson that due to work commitments they will NOT be able to attend this year. I have also been advised that due to an alternative commitment Emily Booth will also not be attending. Efforts are ongoing to replace these artists as promptly as possible, but because of both time constraints and the closeness of the event this could, and probably will, take up to the deadline. Please keep an eye on the website for updated information. John Scott / Robert Fuest & Jess Conrad have all confirmed attendance (subject to commitments). The committee are sorry for anybody being let down, but this is the first year cancellations of this magnitude have occurred and we hope to replace the people with celebrities you will enjoy seeing. Gil Lane-Young, for the Committee. Society Notices The Society of Fantastic Films, organizer of the Festival, also has regular meetings in Manchester city centre. Held at the Unicorn Hotel, High Street, on the last Friday of each month, the meetings feature movie showings and lively discussions in a convivial atmosphere. Full Attending Membership is £70 (UK pounds), or $140 (US dollars) which entitles you to Progress Reports, Programme Booklet, Badge, and Attendance to all of the events over the three days of the convention. A single day membership is available for £30 (UK pounds). Children: Attending Membership £20 up to 12 years of age and £30 up to 16 years of age. Supporting Membership £30, entitles you to three Progress Reports, Programme Booklet, Badge, and Attendance to any of the events on any SINGLE day of the convention. (Supporting membership can be upgraded to FULL by paying the balance at any time up to the week before the Festival). Register now by printing the form (click below) and mailing to the Festival address! Click here for a membership form you can print and mail Festival e-mail may be sent to Gil Lane-Young: [email protected] The Society of Fantastic Films is a member of the British Federation of Film Societies Comments
or suggestions? Add comment to the Festival Guestbook Website Special Features Archives and Reviews of Past Festivals Eurocon Award to Concatenation Harry Nadler Photo Album
Festival Guest and Contributor Websites Widescreen Movies Magazine Janina Faye - The Official Website Ramsey Campbell - The Official Website Stephen Laws - The Midnight Man John Harden Harry Hamill's artwork for the 1998 Festival Gil Lane-Young's Festival Page Festival Information on the Concatenation Website Other Sites of Interest Sci-Fi London: 3DTV - LCD Glasses, 3D Movies, & More! Concatenation Convention Reviews HammerWeb - Hammer Films Official Site Film & TV Connection: Virtual Manchester
Site created 4 June
1997 by Bill Burns |